DNA FIngerpring/ Agarose Gel Electrophoresis?

Question

Why is placing the gels in the gel lanes on the sides of the black cathdode important?

Answer 1

Since the molecules in the sample move based on their mass aided by the electric current, it's important to put the gels in the gel lanes so that they can move in a straight line.
This makes it extremely easy to compare more than one sample because they are parallel to one another. If it's not injected in the lanes, it's hard because the sample is then not at the same depth and is harder to read.

Answer 2

It is important because you want the DNA to run down the gel (so that the DNA will separate based on size). Since DNA is negatively charged, you want to put it at the cathode (negative charge/black) end, so that it will run down the gel toward the anode (positive charge/red) end.

The gel electrophoresis system is a fairly simple setup based on the principle that negatively charged things are attracted to positively charged things.

Thanks mdGreg C, I have edited it.

Answer 3

Because as the current during electrophoresis moves the DNA molecules down the gradient, the molecules pass from high to low-this is all Diffusion. The current also moves from negative to positive, and left to right.

Answer 4

I Think, seychellie, has the Polarity Reversed.


Cool, seychellie, you Seemed So Sure, that I Thought I was Wrong.